The cursebreaker cleared his throat and met his gaze squarely. “I wanted to apologize.”
Liam was shocked silent for a good few moments. “Apologize?”
“You came looking for me to help you the other day and the circumstances were…difficult. And when you didn’t leave your information or come back, I felt responsible.”
A mixture of hope and hurt swirled in Liam’s chest like a spin wheel—he didn’t know where the arrow was about to land.
That he had sought Fix out for help was an anomaly in the first place, and his rejection had cemented what Liam had already known.
He only had himself.
But…here the man was.
“How did you find me?” he asked.
Fix grimaced, scratching his beard sheepishly. “That’s the other thing I need to apologize for. I asked Cane if he knew anything about you since I first met you at the ring. I didn’t mean to invade your privacy, but I was worried for your safety.”
Liam’s heart fell to the doormat as panic crawled its ugly fingers up his spine.
Cane knew who he was? What else did he know? He couldn’t possibly know everything. He couldn’t…not after all this time running from it.
“If this is a bad time, I can come back tomorrow,” Fix offered when Liam didn’t say anything back. “Or the next day. Whatever works for your schedule.”
Liam tried to push the hysteria away, telling himself that if Fixdidknow, then he wouldn’t be standing here. “I dealt with it, it’s fine.”
The lie rolled off his tongue easily, a defense mechanism that was well worn and practiced.
Fix frowned, bushy brows meeting in the middle. Liam tried not to let his dissatisfaction affect him. “Did you contact another cursebreaker agency to break it?”
“Uhhh…yes. Yes. They came right over, so you’re good to leave.”
“But your name isn’t logged in our database. I checked.”
Liam was panicking now, blurting out, “I used a fake name.”
“You need a valid ID,” Fix countered. “It’s standard practice.”
“I have a fake one of those too.”
He slammed his lips shut, wishing he could seal them.
Fix paused. “Are you admitting a crime to me?”
If only he knew.
“Didn’t you admit one to me earlier?” he said, trying to sound tougher than he felt. He lifted his chin. “You got my personal information from a known criminal.”
Fix let out a short laugh, appearing surprised by the bite back. “You’re absolutely right. I guess we’re at a stalemate then.”
“I guess so,” he murmured, knowing that in reality Fix had all the advantage. Liam was one alpha-like grunt from falling at his feet. “So why don’t we call it even and leave it there.”
Fix shoved his hands into his pockets like he was getting comfortable instead of gearing up to exit.
“What’s the name?”
“W-what?” Liam stuttered.
“The fake name you used,” Fix said slowly, eyes so intent on his face Liam was sure it was about to go up in flames. “What is it?”
